Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff took note of a familiar thread for the Red Wings’ players and coach over the course of this summer’s media availabilities: every player and coach Lalonde has suggested that the team faces higher expectations in terms of performance going forward:
“I think there’s definitely expectations going into this season, so that’s always a good thing,” Detroit forward Patrick Kane said. “You want those expectations.”
After finishing the season with 91 points and missing out on postseason play via tiebreaker, the Red Wings have given cause for high hopes.
“I think you set expectations high after coming down to Game 82 (and) that (is when) you missed the playoffs,” Detroit GM Steve Yzerman said.
The Red Wings are ready to deal with the accompanying pressure that raised expectations do bring.
“I think that’s great for our group to have expectations like that to come in the next year to get back to that point,” Red Wings forward Christian Fischer said. “I’m honestly fully confident that we could get back there.
“You don’t want to set crazy expectations but I think everybody’s in the same boat. I think we kind of showed last year a big step in the progression of our team and setting the standard that we could be in the postseason, and that we expect to be in the postseason.
Continued; it’s a damn good thing that the Red Wings expect to make the playoffs this upcoming season. Detroit’s not going to finish first in the Atlantic Division, but as the team moves forward, it must attempt to exceed its standard of performance from this past campaign.
